Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers, 9/14/19 Prediction & Odds

The Oakland Athletics are in the driver’s seat in a tight three-team battle for two AL Wild Card spots. Can Oakland record a key win today at the Texas Rangers to stay atop the Wild Card standings?

Game Snapshot

923 Oakland Athletics at 924 Texas Rangers

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Globe Life Park at 8:05PM ET

TV: FSSW

Compare odds from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our MLB Odds & Betting Page.

Public Betting Information

According to oddsmakers, the A’s are a -124 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Rangers are a +114 underdog, while the total is set at 10.5 runs. As of Saturday afternoon, 73 percent of public bets are being placed on visiting Oakland. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for the latest info.

A’s offense explodes

Oakland brought out the big bats Friday night in a 14-9 victory at Texas to improve to 88-60 overall and 40-33 on the road. Khris Davis paced the Athletics as he finished 2-for-4 with two home runs, a walk and four RBIs. Marcus Semien went 1-for-5 with a home, a walk, two runs scored and two RBIs. Matt Olson was 1-for-4 with a solo home run plus a walk. Ramon Laureano was 1-for-4 with a homer, a walk, two runs and four RBIs. J.B. Wendelken picked up the win as he threw three perfect innings of relief with two strikeouts. Mike Fiers starts tonight as he enters with a 14-4 record, 3.97 ERA and 1.22 WHIP plus 116 strikeouts over 170 innings of work.

Rangers pitchers hit hard

Texas suffered a 14-9 loss Friday night at home against Oakland as it dropped to 74-75 overall and 42-31 at home. Shin-Soo Choo helped lead the Rangers offensively as he finished 1-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs. Danny Santana went 1-for-3 with a homer, a walk, a stolen base, two runs scored and three RBIs. Elvis Andrus was 1-for-5 with two RBIs. Ian Gibaut took the loss as he allowed three earned runs on two hits with two strikeouts and one walk over one inning. Mike Minor will start tonight for Texas as he comes in with a 13-8 record, 3.08 ERA and 1.18 WHIP plus 183 strikeouts over 189 2/3 innings pitched.

MLB Betting Trends

Oakland

The Athletics are 4-0 in their last four road games. Oakland is 51-24 in its last 75 games overall.

Texas

The Rangers are 6-2 in their last eight games overall. Texas is 6-2 in the last eight Minor starts.

Prediction:

Texas has been tough at home all season and while it doesn’t exactly have a lot to play for other than pride, there is the spoiler element against a division rival. Minor is enjoying a solid season and I think he’ll slow down the A’s bats today in the comfort of his own park, while I’m concerned about Fiers as he was throwing pitch after pitch over the heart of the plate last time out and was battered for nine earned runs in an inning-plus at Houston. I expect the veteran Fiers to be closer to his normal self today, but I’m still betting on Minor to outduel him.